The garden’s at the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Admission is free for everyone up to age 17; $3 donation suggested for adults. The festival continues with demonstrations, entertainment, and more, as well as kite-flying (buy one if you don’t have one to bring!), until 6 pm.

The Blue Angels and other Seafair Air Show participants won’t be alone in the sky this Saturday – as you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, it’s also the third annual Kite Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge. More than 500 people visited the garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus for last year’s festival; it’s happening 2-6 pm Saturday (plenty of time to arrive AFTER the Blue Angels’ 1:40 pm-ish show if that’s already in your plans). Bring your own kite OR buy one at the festival; enjoy kite-flying demos, kite-painting for kids, courtyard entertainment, and refreshments. 17 and under get in free; $3 suggested donation for adults.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2015/07/saturday-3rd-annual-kite-festival-to-soar-over-seattle-chinese-garden-on-puget-ridge/feed/0West Seattle Crime Watch: Armed street robbery on Puget Ridgehttp://westseattleblog.com/2015/07/west-seattle-crime-watch-armed-street-robbery-on-puget-ridge/
http://westseattleblog.com/2015/07/west-seattle-crime-watch-armed-street-robbery-on-puget-ridge/#commentsWed, 01 Jul 2015 23:06:04 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=315245Two people were held up at gunpoint and assaulted late last night on Puget Ridge. We’ve just obtained the police report, which says they were walking to a residence when a group of people confronted them near 17th and Myrtle around 11 pm (map). The first robber “had some type of pistol and pointed it at both victims,” demanding, “Give me everything you’ve got.” The second one is quoted in the report as saying, “I’m gonna take your purse,” while reaching out to take one victim’s purse; that victim tried to resist by pushing the robber, who pushed her back and took the purse. All the while, the first robber had been “speaking with (the victim) and taking items from him (wallet, cell phone, day pack),” and then said, “Is that all you have?” When the victim said it was, the robber hit the victim in the right eye. The robbers then walked away, along with several other people who had accompanied them but did not participate in the robbery/assault. The victims called police from the house they had been headed to, a few blocks further north on 17th. According to the police report (and our followup question to SPD), the only descriptions provided were “black male” and “black female, 5-7.”
]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2015/07/west-seattle-crime-watch-armed-street-robbery-on-puget-ridge/feed/3THIS WEEKEND: Learn about amateur radio during ‘Field Day’ on South Seattle College campushttp://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/this-weekend-amateur-radio-field-day-on-south-seattle-college-campus/
http://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/this-weekend-amateur-radio-field-day-on-south-seattle-college-campus/#commentsWed, 24 Jun 2015 18:50:13 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=314604

(WSB photo from June 2014 Field Day)
By proclamation of the governor, it’s Amateur Radio Week in our state – and it will wrap up this weekend with a big event that you’re invited to visit, Field Day on the south end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club is one of the groups that’ll be participating. Here’s the official announcement:

Members of the Puget Sound Repeater Group (PSRG) and the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 27 – 28, 2015 South Seattle College (behind Olympic Hall) in West Seattle. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

For over 100 years, Amateur Radio — sometimes called ham radio — has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet.

Field Day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. Over 45,000 people from thousands of locations participated in Field Day in 2014.

Anyone can come to this Field Day event and get on-the-air! A special station will be staffed with a licensed mentor for use by newcomers or those interested in ham radio. This station allows people who have never used a ham radio to do so, and allow people to explore the world. Even licensed individuals can explore operating on in ways new to them.

The site is normally an empty field, but for Field Day it will be filled with numerous antenna masts, four operating radio stations, and emergency power. Which demonstrates radio operation on multiple frequencies using different communications techniques without normal power or facilities. Field Day is practice for operating under emergency or disaster conditions.

“It’s easy for anyone to pick up a computer or Smartphone, connect to the Internet and communicate, with no knowledge of how the devices function or connect to each other,” said Sean Kutzko of the American Radio Relay League, the national association for Amateur Radio. “But if there’s an interruption of service or you’re out of range of a cell tower, you have no way to communicate. Ham radio functions completely independent of the Internet or cell phone infrastructure, can interface with tablets or Smartphones, and can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. That’s the beauty of Amateur Radio during a communications outage.”

“Hams can literally throw a wire in a tree for an antenna, connect it to a battery-powered transmitter and communicate halfway around the world,” Kutzko added. “Hams do this by using a layer of Earth’s atmosphere as a sort of mirror for radio waves. In today’s electronic do-it-yourself (DIY) environment, ham radio remains one of the best ways for people to learn about electronics, physics, meteorology, and numerous other scientific disciplines, and is a huge asset to any community during disasters if the standard communication infrastructure goes down.”

Anyone may become a licensed Amateur Radio operator. There are over 725,000 licensed hams in the United States, as young as 5 and as old as 100. And with clubs such as ACS and PSRG, it’s easy for anybody to get involved right here in Seattle.

Amateur radio is also used in a wide variety of other situations – coordinating the West Seattle Grand Parade, for one. Drop by SSC this weekend and see for yourself.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/this-weekend-amateur-radio-field-day-on-south-seattle-college-campus/feed/0West Seattle Car Show 2015: Application form now onlinehttp://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/west-seattle-car-show-2015-application-form-is-online-now/
http://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/west-seattle-car-show-2015-application-form-is-online-now/#commentsFri, 19 Jun 2015 16:58:34 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=314143It’s still almost three months out, but summertime roars by, so you might want to start planning now to participate in the 2015 West Seattle Car Show, which, as announced here earlier this month, will be at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, September 13th, with load-in at 8 am and awards at 3. Co-presenters Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (also both WSB sponsors), with the help of Webcami, have the application form up now at westseattlecarshow.com (the rest of the website will be launched soon), so you can download it and send it in before the summer gets busy.
]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2015/06/west-seattle-car-show-2015-application-form-is-online-now/feed/0Signups start for free language classes at Seattle Chinese Gardenhttp://westseattleblog.com/2015/02/signups-start-for-free-language-classes-at-seattle-chinese-garden/
http://westseattleblog.com/2015/02/signups-start-for-free-language-classes-at-seattle-chinese-garden/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:16:11 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=302017Signups just started for popular free classes at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge – the next session of the Community Chinese Corner:

Experienced Chinese teachers and student assistants lead these fun classes for all ages. Learning activities include talking about food, playing cards, and painting. Co-sponsored by the Seattle Chinese Garden and the Confucius Institute of the State of Washington. The sessions are free, but donations are welcome. Go here for more information.

The classes will be held alternate Tuesdays, March 24-June 30, 4:30-6 pm in the Chan Center at the garden, which is just north of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). You can register online by going here. (2012 photo by Pollyanna Wang)

On Thursday, Feb. 12, South Seattle College will host a Japanese American Day of Remembrance event featuring keynote speaker Lawrence Matsuda.

A noted author, Matsuda will hold two speaking sessions in the Olympic Hall Auditorium (OLY 120) at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

This annual event commemorates the anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorizing the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast; most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The order, known as Executive Order 9066, was signed on Feb. 19, 1942. In Washington State alone, nearly 13,000 people of Japanese descent were sent to detention centers, including Seattleites who were sent to Camp Minidoka near Hunt, Idaho.

Matsuda was born in an Idaho internment camp and spent the first three years of his life there. His latest book, “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner,” is a collection of poetry that was inspired by the experience of those 120,000.

During both sessions, Matsuda – who earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of Washington – will share personal narratives from Minidoka survivors and pilgrims, and perform excerpts from “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner.” Additionally, signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

This event is free and open to the community.

Olympic Hall is at the south end of the SSC campus, which is at 6000 16th SW.

Here’s the photo op we mentioned earlier – South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) students and staff gathered this morning to show their Seahawk-fan spirit! That’s our photo above; the college says its own “official” version will be on the SSC Facebook page later this afternoon. While there, our photographer put 2-year-old Mia on the WSB Instagram feed:

(Photos/video courtesy South Seattle College)
A student’s inspiring story keynoted tonight’s recordsetting “Gifts from the Earth” fundraiser at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Above, David Yama spoke to the sold-out crowd of 300. Here’s the full recap by SSC’s communications director Kevin Maloney:

South Seattle College announced tonight that the annual Gifts from the Earth fundraising event raised nearly $215,000, a new record in its 12-year history. Proceeds from the event benefit South’s Foundation in its mission to support South students and programs with scholarships, internships, emergency funding, tutoring, and more.

“Gifts from the Earth is an inspiring event where philanthropists and our sponsors come together for the common goal of supporting South students in their pursuit of a higher education and a fulfilling career,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said. “Their support has an enormous impact on our students’ ability to realize their dreams.”

South’s supporters started their night with a silent auction accompanied by appetizers and wines crafted by South’s Culinary Arts, Pastry and Baking Arts, and Northwest Wine Academy students and alumni. Next, the sold-out event moved to the Jerry M. Brockey Center, where guests enjoyed a multi-course meal created by 15 celebrity Northwest chefs (including South alumni). Students from the college’s culinary, wine and Hospitality Management B.A.S. programs helped the chefs prep, cook and serve.

A highlight of the evening came after dinner and a live auction, when South student David Michael Patrick Yama shared his story of emerging from poverty to succeeding in college with the help of a Foundation scholarship:

“I sought out a Foundation scholarship because I needed more money, but money was the smallest thing it gave me,” said Yama, who hopes to obtain a doctorate in biomedical engineering. “The greatest thing it gave to me was validation. Validation that I belong here, that I could succeed in school.”

Gifts from the Earth is made possible by the support of the following sponsors: Food Services of America (title sponsor), Boeing, Union Bank, Rebar and Associates, McGranahan Architects, GM Nameplate, QBSI, Interbay Food Company, WSECU, Vigor Industrial, The Gene Colin and Susan Janus Charitable Fund, Pedersen’s and Ferguson Construction.

(Watch SSC’s Facebook page for a photo gallery next week.) The college is headquartered on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge.

(Added: WSB photo of SSCC parking lot by ravine where the girls were found)1:56 PM: Police are looking for two girls, ages 4 and 10, in eastern West Seattle, and their family has asked us to get the word out too. The older girl has brown hair, wearing pink sweats and a pink orange jacket; younger girl has blonde hair, wearing a bright orange or blue (reversible) jacket and bright pink pants. They left their house without permission more than an hour ago and might be in the greenbelt behind Sanislo Elementary, their family says. If you see them, please call 911.

3:01 PM: Per scanner – just found, near South Seattle College.

3:26 PM: We have also confirmed with police in the area, that they are OK and safe. Medics were called to check them out just to be sure.

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Culinary students at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) were working on this gingerbread house well into Tuesday evening – after having already put more than 100 hours of work into it – with instructors including Christopher Harris(left). This morning, college spokesperson Kevin Maloney says, it’s scheduled to be picked up for delivery to Costco‘s corporate offices, where it will be on display in the travel area.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2014/11/west-seattle-scene-sscs-serious-gingerbread-house-building/feed/2West Seattle traffic alert: 3-car crash at 16th/Myrtlehttp://westseattleblog.com/2014/10/west-seattle-traffic-alert-3-car-crash-at-16thmyrtle/
http://westseattleblog.com/2014/10/west-seattle-traffic-alert-3-car-crash-at-16thmyrtle/#commentsTue, 21 Oct 2014 18:46:45 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=289421Nobody’s hurt, according to police, but a three-car crash at 16th/Myrtle is causing some traffic trouble – as you probably know, that’s on the road to/from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and not far from Sanislo Elementary. If you don’t absolutely HAVE to head that way, you might consider waiting a while. Tow crews are on the way.
]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2014/10/west-seattle-traffic-alert-3-car-crash-at-16thmyrtle/feed/1New honor for South Seattle College Arboretum: Ceremony tomorrowhttp://westseattleblog.com/2014/10/new-honor-for-south-seattle-college-arboretum-ceremony-tomorrow/
http://westseattleblog.com/2014/10/new-honor-for-south-seattle-college-arboretum-ceremony-tomorrow/#commentsFri, 10 Oct 2014 18:47:10 +0000WSBhttp://westseattleblog.com/?p=288368

A new distinction for the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Arboretum will be celebrated tomorrow, and you’re invited. SSC shared the photo above and this announcement:

On Saturday, October 11, the Coenosium Rock Garden feature at South Seattle College’s Arboretum will be inaugurated as an American Conifer Society (ACS) Reference Garden, with a dedication ceremony running from 1-3:30 p.m.

The celebration starts with welcome messages from Seattle Colleges Chancellor Dr. Jill Wakefield and Van Bobbitt, lead faculty member of South’s Landscape Horticulture program. To follow, special recognition will be given to individuals who helped make the Coenosium Rock Garden possible. The feature is known as one of the largest dwarf conifer collections in the United States. The inauguration will wrap up with remarks from David Olszyk, president of the ACS Western Region, followed by refreshments and tours of the Coenosium Rock Garden.

South’s 5-acre arboretum, established by the South Seattle College Foundation in 1978, functions as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for the college’s Landscape Horticulture students. Professional horticulturists, hobby gardeners and other college programs are often found exploring the free garden sanctuary as well.

(WSB photo, taken this afternoon)
Fall quarter starts tomorrow at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). According to the official announcement, changes for fall include a new Bachelor’s Degree program, Sustainable Building Science Technology, a “90-credit degree program (that) offers industry professionals a pathway to becoming a skilled Building Science Professional. The program emphasizes upper-division coursework that focuses on the complexities of building science, energy codes, building codes and facility management.” Also: What were known as the International Programs at SSC are now under the umbrella of the renamed Center for International Education, which moved to a new space on campus over the summer, housing services ranging “from aiding international students … to Study Abroad programs and international staff/faculty exchange opportunities.”